Early Childhood Education Associate in Applied Science
Illinois Gateways ECE Level 4 Credential
What Follows is the Program Outline.
This program is designed for students interested in working with children birth – age 8 (grade 2). The AAS degree (ECE Level 4 Credential) transfers in full to all public and some private universities in Illinois. Students wishing to transfer with the AAS in ECE should work with a Counselor or the Program Coordinator to create their personal course plan for their timeframe and transfer university. It is recommended students work with a Counselor or the Program Coordinator to choose AAS Gen Ed courses.
Refer to the General Education for Associate in Applied Science for options to fulfill the AAS General Education courses.
Fall semester, first year
| ECE 1000 | Introduction To Early Childhood Education. | 3 | |
| ECE 1202 | Foundations & Trends for Infant/Toddler/ Two Care & Education | 3 | |
| ECE 1206 | Foundations in Early Childhood Education | 3 | |
| ECE 1027 | Child, Family, School & Community | 3 | ECE915 |
| PSY 2001 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | S6 903; ECE 912 |
Spring semester, first year
| ECE 1005 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | |
| ECE 2005 | The Exceptional Learner | 3 | |
| ECE 1203 | Creative Activities | 3 | |
| ECE 2202 | Curriculum Programming | 3 | |
| EDC 2006 | Multicultural Educ:Agent for Change | 3 | |
| Or | | |
| ECE 1204 | Developmentally Appropriate Practices For Infants, Toddlers, and Two's | 3 | |
| Or | | |
| ECE 2205 | Leadership and Coaching in Early Childhood Education | 3 | |
Summer semester, first year
| ENG 1001 | English Composition I | 3 | C1 900 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Fall semester, second year
| ECE 1201 | Child Guidance/Child Study | 3 | |
| ECE 1205 | Mathematics for Young Children | 3 | |
| Or | | |
IAI Gen Ed Math
| IAI General Education Math | | |
| ECE 2207 | Observation and Assessment | 3 | |
| ECE 2208 | Language Development | 3 | |
AAS Gen Ed
| AAS General Education Course | 3 | |
Spring semester, second year
| ECE 2203 | Supervision and Administration | 3 | |
| ECE 2206 | E Portfolio | 1 | |
| ECE 2219 | Practicum/Student Teaching | 5 | |
AAS Gen Ed
| AAS General Education Course | 3 | |
| Or | | |
| ECE 2220 | Practicum/Student Teaching Inf/Tod/Twos | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Total Credit Hours: 60
Upon enrollment to ECE-1000, ECE-1202, ECE-1204, ECE-2207 and ECE-2005, students are required to complete the Illinois State Police (ISP) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Background Checks. Students must purchase the "Education Packet" from the IVCC Bookstore which includes the fee and the forms for a one-time background check. Students will be held accountable to the IVCC Education Candidate Disposition Policy found in the Education Packet.
** EDC 2006 meets the AAS transfer option, ECE-1204 meets the IT Level 3 Cert and ECE-2205 meets the Dir. Qualified Cert
Students must be petitioned into ECE-2219, ECE-2220, or ECE-2206 by the ECE Program Coordinator in the semester prior to enrollment and have completed ECE-1000, ECE-1201, ECE-1202, ECE-1203, ECE-2207 and ECE-2208 with a cumulative 2.5 GPA along with C’s or better in all coursework. In addition, ECE-2220 requires ECE-1204 along with the above coursework. All forms MUST be completed before registering.
Students who have their Child Development Associate (*CDA) will have ECE-1203 and ECE-1206 waived. See ECE Program Coordinator for more information.
For additional information please consult any counselor at (815) 224-0360 or tammy_landgraf@ivcc.edu, (815) 224-0477. 2/2025